OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL For Monday 28 April 2014 - "LIVING ABOVE THE STORMS" BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL For Monday 28 April 2014 - "LIVING ABOVE THE STORMS" BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memory Verse: Exodus 14:15

And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

Read: Matthew 14:22-32

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

Message

Meteorologists have observed that there are different kinds of storms. The nature of these storms varies by their location. Some places are stormier than others. Storms also vary in strength, the level of danger they pose and the extent of damage they cause. Relating this to life’s situations, storms can take different forms in the life of a person. 

A storm could be economic, political, financial, social to name but a few. 

The storms of life put men under intense pressure and have the capacity to toss them to and fro. Although storms may be an undesirable natural phenomenon, their occurrence has some great advantages for human life and the environment. Similarly, the storms of life have hidden advantages too. Men have found ways to predict storms and have devised methods to control and reduce the level of damage they cause. 

By applying different precautionary measures, people are able to survive the impact of storms. If such measures have proved successful, how much more will God’s safeguards protect us from the storms of life?

One of the titles of our Lord Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. He has the power to calm or stop any storm. In Matthew 14:22-32, Jesus instructed His disciples to get into the ship and cross over to the other side. 

Midway into the journey, a storm arose threatening to sink their boat. This kind of storm is opposed to progress. It could be a form of opposition on the journey to marriage, in the path of ministerial progress, on the course of a career line or in life generally. The intervention of Jesus brings calmness into any storm. 

A storm confronted the men upon whom the future of the church depended. It was not only a threat to their lives but also a threat to their destiny and assignment. Storms can challenge progress no matter the commitment put into the journey so far. 

The disciples had left everything to follow Jesus, yet a storm beat against their direction of progress. It is very dangerous to be caught by a storm on the sea of life without Jesus in the boat. The advantage the disciples had was that they had a relationship with the Lord. So when the storm arose against them, the all-knowing Master was quick to intervene.

If the obedience of the disciples faced a storm on the sea, what is the hope of those on a journey of disobedience? Divine presence is the secret of living above the storms of life. When Jesus is reigning in your life, against all odds, you will surely get to your destination in life. Are you willing to allow Christ to bring the power of His presence into the storms of your life just like the disciples did in John 6:21? Your willingness to receive and allow Him is very important.

Prayer point

Father let your presence put an end to every storm in my life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : REVELATION 1:1-3:13 and PSALM 91